Abstract: A first memory stores a calorie goal and quantities of food in several categories which a person anticipates will be consumed during a predetermined day. The quantity of food eaten during the preceding days are stored in a second memory. A computer determines the recommended number of calories and quantities of food in each category for the predetermined day as a function of the quantities consumed during the preceding days. The recommended quantities are stored in a third memory and comparisons are made between the estimated quantities and the recommended quantities, the results of which are displayed. The device, used with or without scales, provides for a healthy and balanced nutrition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitally storing episodic signals, such as, electrocardiogram signals is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes, for each signal channel, an input amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, and a double data buffer. The incoming signal on each channel is converted to a multibit digital number a fixed sampling rate. Each multibit digital number is stored in a location in the double data buffer. When a fixed amount of data is stored in the buffer, a processor examines the data to determine the periods during which the signal is undergoing the most rapid rate of change. For these periods, both an indicator of the period, and a first number of data samples per unit time is stored in a bulk solid state memory. Preferably, the data stored is a number relating to the difference between the value of the sample and a number related to the value of the last sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electric current computed tomography system having an array of electrodes determines the best pattern of currents to apply to the electrodes based on the precision of the system for distinguishing between a known conductivity in a body and an unknown conductivity. An arbitrary current pattern is first applied to the array, which is at the surface of the body. Measurements are then taken for the resulting voltage pattern of the unknown conductivity. Calculations are then made to determine the calculated voltage pattern for the selected conductivity. The absolute value of the difference between the calculated and measured voltage patterns are then taken and, from this, a new current pattern is calculated. If the difference between the new current pattern and the arbitrary current pattern is less than the precision of the system, the arbitrary current pattern is applied to the electrodes. More likely, however, the difference will be greater than the precision.

Abstract: The ultrasonic beam is transmitted a plurality of times in the same direction. The echo signals from an object under examination are detected by a plurality of receiving delay circuits. The raster signals used for ultrasonic tomogram contain two directional components for one directional transmitting beam. The directions of these components are different from that of the transmitting beam. A raster signal processing unit for tomogram is made up of a single system, eliminating the sensitivity difference problem, in the system using a plurality of receiving circuits. The Doppler signal for Doppler imaging has a high frequency resolution since transmitting of the ultrasonic beam is repeated in the same direction.

Abstract: A controller for gas-oil well installations which is microprocessor driven and compiles a datalog which is accessible locally for operator use. Customized microprocessor control for a given well installation is available on a practical basis by resort to the employment of a program approach utilizing bit-string patterns selected from a relatively large sequence of predefined well installation operational parameters or variables which have been identified. The masking and pattern recognition approach permits the handling of relatively large amounts of data and greatly simplifies the customization of well programming. This programming facility permits remote alteration of programs either by telephonic communication or by networking of a plurality of controllers within a given oil field. The programming feature is complemented by the utilization of a variable opening control over a motor valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing and teaching the lifting capacity and technique of a user includes a brake or clutch for resisting user input force which is controlled by feedback from sensors through a computer. Several operating modes can be chosen, including isometric, isokinetic, isotonic and a special accommodating isotonic which simulates lifting a real object as long as the user exerts enough force, but decreases a resisting force when it is more than the user can handle. A motor is used to substantially eliminate inherent system resistance.

Abstract: There is provided a system and methodology for identifying the heaviest product purchasers who regularly use coupons and determining their promotional behavior response patterns of which involves initially preparing a list of names and addresses of consumers who are the most likely heaviest product purchasers who are regular coupon users and then delivering to them a plurality of product purchase incentives such as cents off coupons. The delivery of the coupons to the selected consumer households would also include at least one and preferably a plurality of consumer activated encoding devices each of which being designed to be attached to a coupon. The at least one consumer activated encoding device delivered to each consumer includes the name and address of the receiving consumer in machine readable language.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a system for rapid processing of the data records of many moving and nonmoving objects on a playfield only part of which is displayed and for determining collisions between objects. A search pipeline using a synchrounous state machine searching a linked list of the records organized by approximate position on the playfield implements the search function. A lookahead cycle in the state machine is provided to continue searching for the next object which is to be visible while the graphic data from a previously found object is being loaded into a line buffer. Slips point to the first objects on the list for the current scan line speed up the search process.

Abstract: A method for evaluating cancellous bone from a density pattern of the cancellous bone obtained by irradiating the cancellous bone with a radiation wherein trabeculae of the cancellous bone are analyzed based on a power spectrum obtained by a Fourier transformation of the density pattern is provided.Furthermore, a method for evaluating cancellous bone from the density pattern of the cancellous bone obtained by irradiating the cancellous bone with radiation, wherein the density pattern is determined by irradiating the radiation substantially vertically against the main trabecula of the cancellous bone and the degree of the bone atrophy of the cancellous bone is evaluated by using the area (.SIGMA.GS) of the density pattern and/or the value (.SIGMA.GS/D) obtained by dividing the area (.SIGMA.GS) by the bone width (D) of the cancellous bone.

Abstract: An electronic cash register comprising a key input device having a plurality of operation keys, a file structured memory unit whose memory region is divided into a plurality of file storage regions for storing a plurality of different types of accumulated data, and a control unit for controlling the key input device and the memory unit. The control unit controls the memory unit so as to change the space allocation of a desired file storage region, generate a required file storage region, or erase a predetermined storage region.

Abstract: A text processing device for stenographic typing comprises an alphanumerical keyboard, a translation device, a read/write memory and a display device. Given, frequently occurring words can be entered into the device in abbreviated form. Words of a main set are entered by way of a sequence of two or more key strokes. At least the first two thereof each define a word part to be separately pronounced, for example, in that they constitute the first letters of respective syllables. The full word corresponding to an abbreviated word is formed by the translation device in that at least one missing letter is inserted each time between two successively entered letters. By also providing one or more smaller auxiliary sets of abbreviations, there is an overall saving as regards the number of key strokes required to enter a text.

Abstract: An electronic cash register system has an electronic cash register which acts as a master machine and a plurality of electronic cash registers which act as slave machines. The master machine includes a processor for processing of a variety of data. This data is collected by a reading device which reads written character or graphics data. The read data is then stored in a storage device. The master machine further includes a panel display device for displaying the data stored in the storage device. The master machine control the panel display device and the transferring of data to the slave machine. Each slave machine includes a storage device, a display panel, and controller for carrying out its operations.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional diagnostic imaging generates a plurality of slice images of a specimen. A region of interest is selected from within a slice and is extrapolated to subsequent slices. A boundary of indicative of a surface of interest is selected from within the region of interest to facilitate generation of an image representation of a three-dimensional surface of interest to be assembled from subsequent slices of the plurality. A viewing surface is defined in relation to a generated surface image which was selected from the boundary. A scaling means assigns a scaled gray level to the three-dimensional image to facilitate three-dimensional viewing of the object when it is projected on the viewing surface. Image information is selectably modified by data from the original slice images to add surface density visualization. Means is also provided to facilitate selective segmentation of a three-dimensional image along a plane or planes of interest.

Abstract: In the case of a pizza home delivery system, customer addresses and mapping information may be auomatically retrieved and displayed based on customer telephone number, and order data including an assigned order number may be imprinted on a label to be attached to each pizza container. Preferably, the system produces the order number in the form of a bar code on an adhesively backed label. Each driver may check out order for delivery by inserting his coded identification key at a bar code reader station and having the bar code labels scanned into the system, so that each order is assigned to a particular driver in a reliable and accurate manner. A voice synthesizer unit at the station can then remind the driver that the order includes beverages or more than one pizza container, and can advise the driver when the sum of the cash payments he has received for his deliveries exceeds a certain amount, making it advisable to deposit some of the accumulated cash before the next delivery.

Abstract: A memory (9) in a transaction processing apparatus comprises a unit price data storage area 91 for storing PLU codes and unit price data corresponding to the PLU codes in addition to a PLU file (4). A CPU (5) in the transaction processing apparatus accesses the unit price data storage area (91) when a PLU code is entered from a keyboard (6), determines whether or not the same code as the entered PLU code exists in the unit price data storage area (91) and then, reads out data from the PLU file (4) in response to the PLU code. If and when the same PLU codes as the entered PLU code exists in the unit price data storage area (91), the CPU (5) registors data excluding the unit price data, of the data read out from the PLU file (4) and the unit price data corresponding to the PLU code stored in the unit price data storage area (91).

Abstract: A processing system for a gambling game includes a first self-contained and portable device enabling the reading, erasing and inscription on a data medium as well as the verification of the result of a drawing; a second fixed device associated with a computer of a betting management center enabling the reading of data written on the data medium by the first device, transmission to the management center for recording the read data of the bets, indication and optionally collection of sums of money to be collected as a stake and the inscription on the data medium in an area to which the first device has no access of indications relative to bet data. A drawing is defined to be the contents of a future event, the forecasting of which by a gambler allows him to win at least part of a stake.

Abstract: A performance motivational game comprises a computer having a keyboard, CRT, storage memory, CPU, and a diskette drive for reading a program on a diskette. The control program awards dollar awards ranging from 1 to 100 dollars, with the average value being selectable to be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 dollars. Payout schedules are generated for each of the available average values and are stored on the diskette.

Abstract: A translation system for translating a first language into a second language having at least one user's dictionary into which individual words in the first language desired and equivalent words in the second language can be registered according to user's necessity. This translation system provides means for designating a postpositional word functioning as an auxiliary to a main word such as a verb upon registering the main word in the user's dictionary.

Abstract: A method for controlling arrivals to servers, comprising: regulating arrivals, by initiating a processor generating arrivals or by re-routing or turning away arrivals; measuring durations of service; computing and updating time statistics, including mean, minimum, maximum expected and standard deviation of duration of service thereby estimating expected duration of service; measuring transit times from the point of regulating arrivals to start of service and thereby estimating expected transit times; measuring a ratio of numbers of service initiations to numbers of arrivals at the point of regulating arrivals; recording starting time of each current service; noting present time; comparing present time to starting time, and thereby determining time in progress for each service; comparing time in progress to expected duration of service, and estimating time remaining in service for each customer currently in service; comparing estimated time remaining in service to estimated transit time from the point of regul

Abstract: A process for processing a dipmeter curve is shown in the preferred embodiment. In a curve, line segments are drawn between curve minima, a second set of line segments are drawn between minima in the first segments, and this is repeated to desired number of levels. When finished, line segments are numbered and become a branched tree. This tree is reorganized to form an event tree which is easily converted into a stored digital value and is processed for correlation with other curves.